Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1887-10-26
Too Many Beef Cattle.

LIZ is the general opinion OF all glasses
of stockmen, that there is an over pro-
ductlon of beef cattle. and there is an
unnecessary panic on the subject For
the past few months cattle have been
cheaper than at any time in the past
twenty-five years. If men will calmly
consider the cause Of this over produc-
ton, it will result, evidently in fewer
serious sacrifices of the stock on hand.
By the examination of the reliable
stock statistics as gathered by the
United States census, it will be seen
that from 1880 to 1870 (ifty years) the
increase in the number of neat cattle
was not as great per cent. as the in
crease in the human population. As q
consequence there was a gradual in-
crease in the value of beef cattle during
that half century. 1t was, of course,
interrupted occasionally by CONNER
cial fluctuations. But when business
resumed It's healthy tone, the price Of
cattle was slightly advanced, until in
1870 all classes Of cattle were worth
twice as much as they were in 1880.
The records show this and the writer
knows it from actual experience. 1t
was caused by a gradual decrease of
production in proportion to the in
crease of population.
About 1870 the world first walked up
to the fact that our "Great American
Desert" was of some account, or that
cattle could be prohtably raised on our
western plains, or in the valleys of our
mountains. At this tune Adventures
started the experiment, amounting in
a few years in marvellous results.
Colossal fortunes were made, which ex-
cited the cupidity OF the world. Capt.
tai flowed in and was invested in cat
tie and cattle ranches by millions.
Soon millions of cattle were grazing on
all of the territory frem the Gulf of
Mexico to the Dominion of Canada.
and from the Missouri river to the Pa
citic ocean. Cattle raising was doomed
everywhere. Men were reckless of
their capital, and still more reckless in
the care of stock or the conduct of their
business. Cattle were raised by millions
for all of the markets of the United
States and of Europe. The business
was overdone. Cattle ranchmen either
suspended, or, seeing the coming
storm, sold out to others, whe are now
struggling hard, managing better, but
at the same time contracting the bust
ness by shipping forward prematurely
their stock to glut the markets and de-
meralize the prices.
This is seriously Gripping the farm
ers who are yet trying to raise beeves
by grass on improved farms. This has
also been added to and aggravated by the
drouth which shortened the hay and
corn crops. But this state of affairs
cannot continue long. The population
of the United States is rapidly increas-
ing. The demand for beef is increas-
ing more rapidly than it is for pork or
mutton. The production on the plains
has attained its greatest volume. 1t
can never exceed what it is has been
for the past three years. The home.
steaders are crowding westward, TAX
ing up claims in the midst of what has
heretofore been the best ranches. 1t
is proved that by Irrigation nearly all
the rich valleys between the mountains
are destined to become the homes of
a dense population. And all of these
valleys are being broken in upon BY
residents, greatly embarrassing ranch
ing. Hence, if the small farmer in the
grain States will have patience, stock
up carefully, more of the former pros
perity will soon bless their efforts.